I was thinking this morning that maybe Alan Shearer could be our midfield general? lets face it, the super striker of the past is maybe no more. But Al is great at passing, crossing, tackling and organising. Whaddyathink?

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Answers

tackling?? i've never seen it....

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

I've been advocating this for a year and a half now but would Al accept it?

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

I thin it would be worth a try. A number of strikers drop into midfield as they get older.

Didn't Al play there in a world cup game once?

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Yes, Bellamy's movement and speed are showing Al's limitations up front more and more, although he may still not be fully fit.

I would have thought his ability to hold the ball, pass well and leadership qualities would make him a good midfield general.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Swifty, Alan Shearer couldn't tackle to save his life. Not a criticism - just not a part of his game. I once looked at his passing stats and they were bleeding terrible, too: among the worst in the club.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

really? but then agian his passing usually is around defenders who's speciality is to snuff out passes, point taken though.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Sorry Tucker, Speed will never show up big Al ;-))

Actually, he made a bleedin' awful tackle on Tuesday at Barnsley. Late, high and dangerous. Reminded me of Neil Ruddock at his best (?), except Al only got a yellow card. Obviously leaves something to be desired in the tackle department (ahem!). Might be worth persevering with - at Kingston Park. I don't wanna see that sort of experiment done in public in the EPL.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

You could try a groundbreaking move.Borrow an idea from American football and only bring him on for penalties.Except against us of course!!

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

forget it, his legs have long since departed. a gracious exit sometime this season would be his best option.

this thread reminds me of that spitting image skit (sting on acting)... "i'm a a rock star, i write catchy tunes i can do anything i want"

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

After Tuesday's match, I commented to Screach that Shearer hadn't looked too happy coming off the pitch - sort of negative body language. It may be that he has got a sense of his own mortality?? To be fair to him, he did some great work on the wing and also had his usual spell at centre half, but he was really not on his game on Tuesday.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Shearer midfield!!! , not one facet of his current game gives me any confidence he could do a midfield stint over the 90 , fleeting cameos may have given some the wrong impression, a definite no no.

* Top of my head if you had said John Charles, cf, ch yes and the ultimate utility player Paul Madely most certainly but asking Alan Shearer to change the habits of a career - not on.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

"also had his usual spell at centre half" - was he any good, as an option could we move him back and play him as a kind of sweeper? Didn't John Wark revive his career in his second spell at Ipswich in such a position and did quite well (apart from his marking of Andrew Cole in the 9-0 a few seasons back).
He wouldn't need to be that mobile, just sit back and mop up the Dabizas error that appears in every game. Leave the attacking play for someone who can move.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001